There is hope for the Homosexual

We miss the truly redemptive force of 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, however, if we allow ourselves to be caught up solely in the discussion of the meaning of arsenokoites. Once its definition has been established, we must surely hear the clear teaching of this portion of God’s Word:

11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.

The past tense “such were some of you” cannot be ignored. Paul does not address “homosexual Christians.” He addresses former homosexuals who were now Christians. A transition had taken place, a supernatural movement from the practice of homosexuality to the Christian faith. They had been washed, showing that their previous activities were sinful and required cleansing. They had been sanctified, showing that their previous acts had been unholy. They had been justified, showing that their previous deeds placed them under the wrath of God and made them guilty before Him. But now, by faith in Christ, they had been changed so that they could now look back upon a lifestyle that was no longer theirs. We must also firmly assert that those who seek to create the untenable label of “homosexual Christian” are in reality robbing people of the hope that this passage announces. God cleanses, justifies, and sanctifies those who turn in faith to Jesus Christ. But those who do not turn in faith to Jesus Christ do not experience this divine work.


White, J. R., & Niell, J. D. (2002). The Same Sex Controversy: Defending and Clarifying the Bible’s Message about Homosexuality (pp. 150–151). Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers.